GRANDER PLAN IN STORE
The 330S, at $48,990, gets a 3.3-litre twin turbo V6 with 272kW — 22kW more than BMW’s benchmark 3.0-litre turbo straight six. The 330Si costs $55,990, while the GT, tested here, is $59,990.
Handsome, distinctive sheetmetal is in marked contrast to its quite plain interior, which lacks flair and originality and has perhaps too much in common with Kia’s humble hatchbacks. That said, fit and finish are fine and the GT’s standard equipment list easily justifies its price.
You face simple, informative, monochrome analog instruments flanking a comprehensive information display, with an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, digital radio, navigation and live traffic updates. Harman Kardon audio delivers rich sound.
Bluetooth is seamless but as with all Kias (and Hyundais), voice control works only when you pair your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. So if you don’t have one of these apps, you have to do everything using the touchscreen or steering wheel controls.
A BMW/Audi style controller close at hand on the centre console would allow for quicker, easier and safer operation.
Standard on the GT are swivelling LED headlights with auto high-beam, power operated boot lid and sunroof. Luxurious, supportive, heated and cooled front seats, with two position memory plus variable backrest bolstering on the driver’s side, are faced in beautiful Nappa leather. The driving
position is very BMW — comfortably recumbent — with plenty of adjustability.
Rear passengers sit slightly knees-up, with reasonable head and legroom but no space for feet under the front seats. Vents, temperature adjustment, nets, 12V and USB ports are provided.
The coupe shape dictates a small, shallow boot compared with a conventional three-box sedan.
SAFETY
You get the works in the GT, including a headup display, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist, parking sensors and 360 degree camera coverage.
DRIVING
The 3.3-litre turbo is comparable to current German engines in tractability, responsiveness and refinement. When you lean on the accelerator, from any revs at any speed, the Stinger is quick.
Kia claims 4.9 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint; we clocked 5.1 seconds.
A mid-teens thirst can be expected in town but the V6 also runs on regular unleaded — unusual for a high performance turbo, where premium is an almost universal requirement. On the highway it will do 8L-9L/100km.
The eight-speed’s shifts are smooth and timely in normal use, becoming slow and indecisive under pressure. Paddle-shifters are provided and you can downshift with a reasonable quota of revs on board — though the transmission will grab a higher gear if you run it close to the 6000rpm redline.
A mechanical limited-slip diff is standard on V6s. The GT adds adaptive dampers — which can be adjusted independently front and rear — plus 19-inch alloys with 255/35 rear tyres, also standard on the 330 Si.
As premium dynamic hardware, it’s not up to the job in a car as big, heavy and potent as the Stinger GT.
The back end struggles to put the power — and the 510Nm, available from just 1300rpm — to the road, so the car is snakey and tail-happy under hard acceleration.
The suspension fails to properly control wheel or body movement. The rear axle/ suspension assembly is not as rigidly located as it should be, either, so the Stinger feels uncertain when you point it into a corner and can also become unstable if that corner includes a few bumps.
On smooth bitumen the ride is acceptable but on a typical country road it’s fussy and unsettled, with excessive tyre thump as well.
The badge might say GT but the car itself falls short of that standard in terms of comfort and compliance.
On the credit side, the steering is intuitive and sharp while Brembo brakes are powerful and fade-resistant.
HEART SAYS
I really wish they were still making the V8 Commodore and I can’t afford a BMW 5 Series. Maybe this is the next best thing?
HEAD SAYS
I’m not a badge snob. As a price/performance/ size/equipment proposition, this is great value. The seven-year warranty seals the deal.
ALTERNATIVES
GENESIS G70 Due early in 2018, Hyundai’s luxury brand twin shares the Stinger’s architecture, in slightly shorter form, and mechanicals. Hyundai claims it’s quicker: 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds. VW ARTEON 206TSI FROM $65,490 A Passat in a party frock. Propelled by a 206kW 2.0-litre turbo/seven-speed dual-clutch auto/ all-wheel drive, it does 0-100km/h in 5.6 secs.
VERDICT
The Stinger GT won’t worry the Germans but it’s a respectable first effort. It needs a dynamic package that justifies the GT badge.